Single Towing Device for both Car and Cart

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a towing device which utilizes a towing base, wheels, and a plurality of movable tracks, a tongue hitch attachment, and a vehicle locator swivel plate. The invention can be supplied with hydraulic surge brakes or electric brakes as well as brake and turn lights. Tie down straps are used for securing the vehicle to the dolly. The invention features an adjustable car locator swivel plate. This allows the adjustment of the weight distribution to “fine tune” the load. The tongue weight can be adjusted to comply with the RV hitch&#39;s requirements. Using the loading ramps supplied with the invention, the automobile and the golf cart can be ready for transport quickly and easily.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the art of towing devices and moreparticularly those which allow a vehicle to be towed. 1. Background Intoday's world, there are a large number of people who are traveling inRecreation Vehicles (RV); this is especially true of older and retiredmembers of society.

Many people who use RVs park them at camps and camping sites, sometimesover night and sometimes for months at a time. Many of these camps arelarge with little means of transportation so many people bring and usegolf carts or similar devices for transportation. This can also be trueof a motorcycle, four wheeler or Jet Ski depending on the park and thetype of usage desired.

For many RV owners there is also a need for an alternative vehicle; asthe RV is not convenient for going to the store or for various daytrips. When an RV is at a site it is usually connected to that site'swater and power sources making it a burden to unhook. Therefore many RVowners tow a car, truck or other vehicle behind the RV as a means oftransportation outside of the camping site.

Many RV owners want both their car and their cart with them withouthaving to use a full sized trailer or having someone else transport thegolf cart for them.

Ideally, an RV can tow a golf cart or a similar device and a vehicle;however there is no device that can easily accommodate both. The lack adevice that can easily and safely handle both a cart and an automobile,shows that there is still room for improvement in the art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a towing device which utilizes a towingbase, wheels, and a plurality of movable tracks, a tongue hitchattachment, and a vehicle locator swivel plate. The invention can besupplied with hydraulic surge brakes or electric brakes as well as brakeand turn lights. Tie down straps are used for securing the vehicle tothe dolly.

The invention features an adjustable car locator swivel plate. Thisallows the adjustment of the weight distribution to “fine tune” theload. The tongue weight can be adjusted to comply with the RV hitch'srequirements. Using the loading ramps supplied with the invention, theautomobile and the golf cart can be ready for transport quickly andeasily.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide atowing device that allows for the easy and safe towing of a vehicle anda device like a golf cart, Jet Ski or motorcycle. It is another objectof the present invention to provide a towing device that has moveabletracks so that it can be used to support and tow many different devices.

These, together with other objects of this invention, along with variousfeatures of novelty which characterize this invention, are pointed outwith particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part ofthis disclosure. For a better understanding of this invention, itsoperating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which is illustrated in the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Without restricting the full scope of this invention, the preferred formof this invention is illustrated in the following drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a top front view of the main components of the device;

FIG. 2 displays a bottom side view of the main components of the device;

FIG. 3 shows a view of the hitch tongue of the device;

FIG. 4 displays the vehicle locator swivel plate;

FIG. 5 displays a golf cart being loaded on the movable racks;

FIG. 6 displays the movable racks;

FIG. 7 displays the bolting rack attachment means;

FIG. 8 displays the use of a movable rack with a motorcycle;

FIG. 9 shows the device towing a car and a golf cart; and

FIG. 10 shows a top perspective front view of the main components of thedevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of a towing device is demonstrative in natureand is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or itsapplication of uses.

The present invention relates to a towing device 1 which utilizes atowing base, wheels, and a plurality of movable tracks, a tongue hitchattachment, and a vehicle locator swivel plate. The invention can besupplied with hydraulic surge brakes or electric brakes as well as brakeand turn lights. Tie down straps are used for securing the vehicle tothe dolly.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 10, the device has a towing base 100which is comprised of a main support beam 25 which runs parallel to theMotor Home 400. The main support beam 25 is attached to a wheel axissupport 95. The wheel axis support 95 is perpendicular to the mainsupport beam 25 and attached through an attachment means such aswelding. The towing base 100 has a plurality of angled supplementalsupport beams 90 that are attached to the towing base 100 and the wheelaxis support 95 at a 45 degree angle. The angled supplement supportbeams 90 add additional support to the towing base 100.

The towing base 100 has a rack support base 35. The rack support base 35is rectangular in shape. The rack support base 35 is attached to thesupport beam 25 and extending out an equal distance from the supportbase 25, two feet in the preferred embodiment parallel with the wheelaxis support 95 and perpendicular to the main support beam 25. The racksupport base 35 then turns at a 90 degree angle towards and connects tothe wheel axis support 95. The rack support base 35 is symmetrical tothe support beam 25 for maintaining a stable load balance. The racksupport base 35 provides the support structure for the movable racks 45.

As shown in FIG. 3, connected to the support beam 25 and the oppositeend of the wheel axis support 95 is the tongue hitch attachment 15. Thetongue hitch attachment 15 is used to attach the device 1 to the hitchof the RV 400 or other vehicle that is towing it. Tongue hitchattachments 15 are well known in the art and are not disclosed here ingreat detail. The tongue hitch attachment 15 has a socket that locks onthe ball of the hitch 215. This allows the device 1 to turn separatelyfrom the RV 400. The tongue hitch attachment 15 has a tongue weightwhich can be adjusted to comply with the RV hitch's 215 requirements.The tongue weight of the device 1 must be in compliance with the RatedHitch Capacity of the Tow Vehicle. The tongue weight is adjusted bymoving the Swivel Plate location with the series of adjustment holesprovided, which shifts weight towards or away from the tongue of thedevice 1. When making this adjustment, the pivot bolt and nut must betightened to a point of having at least 3 threads of the end of the boltexposed past the nut. The nut is a self locking style, and should alwaysbe stiffly rotating, if not, it must be replaced before using the device1.

The wheel axis support 95 is connected to a plurality of wheels 55.There are two wheels 55 in the preferred embodiment, one on each side ofthe wheel axis support 95 and parallel to the support beam 25. Thewheels 55 are attached to the wheel axis support 95 using a typicalaxle/ball bearing configuration. The wheels 55 add the mobility for thedevice 1. In the preferred embodiment, each wheel 55 is covered by awheel fender 65 which is in a hollow half moon shape that covers the topof the wheel 55 and is attached to the wheel axis support 95. The fender65 would be full fenders with inner liners. In the preferred embodimentthe wheels 55 have tires that are 205/75R 14″ Radial 6Ply Rated TrailerTires-1760 lb Load Rating each.

The device 1 can be supplied with a braking system 125 of the wheels 55.This braking system can be with hydraulic surge brakes or electricbrakes 125. A brake cable 225 runs from the RV 400 to the device 1 toactivate the brakes 125. The device 1 can also have turn signals and/orreflector lights.

The invention features an adjustable car locator swivel plate 75. Thisallows the adjustment of the weight distribution to “fine tune” theload. The adjustable car locator swivel plate 75 is slightly behind thewheels 55 in the direction opposite from the tongue hitch attachment 15.The car locator swivel plate 75 is on a pivot that allows for theadjustment of weight distribution. The locator swivel plate allows forMultiple Position Car Locator for correct balance. The location of thelocator swivel plate 75 on the device 1, right behind the wheels 55allows for the base distribution and the most efficient bearing of theload of the car weight. The vehicle locator plate 75 is used to locate,support and restrain the front wheels 55 of the towed vehicle 200. Asshown in FIG. 4, the vehicle locator plate 75 is retained on the deviceby one large (pivot) bolt 71 in the center of the width and length ofthe plate 75. This bolt 71 is the point of rotation for the car 200 intow as the dolly follows the RV 400 through the radius of a turn. In thecurrent invention, the locator plate 75 can be re-positioned through aseries of hole positions 72 in a fore & aft member that is conected tothe base 100 that allow it to be either closer or further from thedevice 1 axle position. The device's 1 axle acts as the balance pointfor the golf cart 300 towards the front of the device 1, and the towedvehicle 200 towards the rear. By moving the locator plate 75 which movesthe towed vehicle closer to the device 1 axle, (forward) or away fromthe axle (rearward), weight distribution can be directed towards thehitch or away from the hitch, allowing the operator to adjust their loaddistribution between the hitch 215 and the wheels 55.

As shown in FIG. 5, the loading ramps 215 are used to load theautomobile 200 and the golf cart 300 for transport in a quick and easymanner.

FIG. 6 shows the movable racks 45. The movable racks 45 are in a longrectangular shape wide enough for a standard golf cart tire to fit andapproximately 102″ in length in the preferred embodiment. The movablerack 45 has a lip 41 of two inches on each of its elongated sides. Theshort ends of the movable rack 45 are open to allow the loading andunloading of the golf cart 300 or other vehicle. Having both ends allowthe the golf cart 300 or other secondary vehicle can load from eitherside of the device 1. This is advantageous in busy and crowded parks.

In an alternative embodiment, the movable racks 45 can have a wheelchock 42 on one of the short sides which is used to secure the golf cart300 or other vehicle and to make sure that the golf cart 300 does not gopast the end of the movable racks 45.

The movable racks 45 are connected to the rack support base 35 through aconnecting means as shown in FIG. 7. In the preferred embodiment, theconnecting means is the use of pairs of attachment walls 42 that extendfrom the bottom of the movable racks 45. Each pair of attachment walls42 are spaced apart with enough distance between them that they line upon either side of the beam 49 of the rack support base 35. In thepreferred embodiment there are two beams 49 that form the rack supportbase 35. The attachment walls 42 are perpendicular to the elongatedsides of the movable racks 45. The attachment walls 42 have a pluralityof holes 46 that line up with a series of holes 47 in the beams 49 ofthe rack support base 35. An attachment means such as a bolt and lockpin 48 are used to secure the movable racks 45 to the rack support base35.

The movable racks 45 can be attached to the proper beam holes 47 thatare best for the load to be loaded. This allows for adjustment of themovable racks 45 to best fit to load. For a standard golf cart 300, twomovable racks 45 will be used, but only one or more then two movableracks 45 can be used depending on the load. FIG. 8 demonstrates the useof only one movable rack 45 for use with a motorcycle 500. The device 1can be used with a motorcycle, ATV, Jet Ski or other similar device.

Because RV site space is so limited, the device in the preferredembodiment fits within an area just 30″ longer than a standard towdolly. This will allow a user to tuck the device 1 up under the rear ofa standard motor home 400 to save space.

An Attachment means, such as tie down straps 135 are used to secure thevehicle 200 and golf cart 300 to the device 1.

In the preferred embodiment the device 1 would have a 3500 lb LoadRating and a High Gloss Polyester Powder Coated Finish. In the preferredembodiment, the device 1 is made of a strong, durable but light weightmaterial such as stainless strength steel with the parts molded andwelded together using standard welding practices.

Having described the fundamental components and functions of anembodiment, details of the same are now described with greaterspecificity.

Operation

FIG. 9 shows the device 1 load with a vehicle 200 and a golf cart 300being towed by a Recreation Vehicle 400. It shows the fastening means,such as the tie down straps 135 for fastening the towed vehicles to thedevice 1. The device 1 must be securely hitched to the tow vehicle 400before loading. While FIG. 10 shows a prospective front view of thedevice 1 with the the alternative embodiment of having the movable racks45 having wheel chocks 42 Since the golf cart 300 or other secondaryvehicle is transported crossways, it must measure less than 102 inchesin length in order to comply with maximum width limits for highway use.The removal of rear facing seats, foot rests, or other accessories maybe necessary.

Although many features, functions, and advantages of the presentinvention have been described in this specification, together withdetails of the structure of specific embodiments thereof, thedescription as a whole is illustrative only, and substitutions may bemade in detail, especially in matters of shape, dimension andarrangement of elements within the principles of the invention to thefull extent indicated by the broad, general meaning of the terms inwhich the claims are expressed.

Advantages

The previously described version of the present invention has manyadvantages, including many elements missing in all prior art.

Although many features, functions, and advantages of the presentinvention have been described in this specification, together withdetails of the structure of specific embodiments thereof, thedescription as a whole is illustrative only, and substitutions may bemade in detail, especially in matters of shape, dimension andarrangement of elements within the principles of the invention to thefull extent indicated by the broad, general meaning of the terms inwhich the claims are expressed. Therefore, the point and scope of theappended claims should not be limited to the description of thepreferred versions contained herein.

1. A towing device comprising: a base, a plurality of wheels connected to said base, a plurality of racks connected to said base, a tongue hitch attachment at one end of the base, and a vehicle holder at the other end of said base.
 2. A towing device as in claim 1 where said racks are movable on said base.
 3. A towing device as in claim 1 where said racks are movable and attached to said base using an attachment means.
 4. A towing device as in claim 3 where said attachment means are a bolt and lock pin where said bolt goes through an opening in said rack and said base.
 5. A towing device as in claim 1 where said device tows a recreational vehicle and another vehicle.
 6. A towing device as in claim 1 where said base comprises a support beam and a wheel axis support.
 7. A towing device as in claim 1 which includes a braking system connected to said wheels.
 8. A towing device as in claim 1 where said vehicle holder is a vehicle locator swivel plate.
 9. A towing device as in claim 8 where said vehicle holder can be moved.
 10. A towing device as in claim 1 where said racks have two elongated lips and two shorten ends which are open.
 11. A towing device as in claim 2 where said racks have two elongated lips and a wheel block at one of the short ends with an open end opposite said wheel block.
 12. A towing device as in claim 1 where said base has a rack support on which said racks are connected to.
 13. A towing device as in claim 1 which includes tie down straps.
 14. A towing device as in claim 1 which includes a plurality of ramps.
 15. A method of towing a vehicle and a recreation device comprising: using a device that has a base, a plurality of wheels connected to said base, a plurality of racks connected to said base, a tongue hitch attachment at one end of the base, and a vehicle holder at the other end of said base; loading a recreation device to said device; loading a vehicle to said device; connecting said device to the towing vehicle; and towing said device.
 16. A method as in claim 15 which includes having said racks be movable on said base.
 17. A method as in claim 15 where includes having said racks movable and attaching said racks to said base using an attachment means.
 18. A method as in claim 17 which includes having said attachment means being a bolt and lock pin where said bolt goes through an opening in said rack and said base.
 19. A method as in claim 15 which includes have a vehicle locator swivel plate attached to said base.
 20. A method as in claim 20 which includes the step of repositioning said vehicle holder for better load balance. 